Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holiday weekends that we celebrate. It is a time where we gather with one another and share about the years that have gone by. I think we can get too busy in life and forget the simple joy of gathering together. I hope you took the time this past weekend to turn the clock off and just relax with Family, Friends and Food. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
One of the things that we are reminded of this time of year is how busy we have been. How crazy our lives have gotten. How caught up in the rat race we have been. We get so involved in things that we forget about how much joy we get from just gathering together.
I think we have lost the art of celebrating. We party a lot but too many times we push the envelope so far we have trouble remembering what we did. I am talking about gathering together to spend time together, no agenda, no schedule, just Friends, Family and Food.
I was better at that when I was a youngster. I enjoyed the family picnic more than anyone did. I missed that this summer. The racing schedule prevented me from going home to Vermont for the family reunion. My dad was the baby of eighteen children and I am his only son. He has passed away and I am the link for his brothers and sisters to remember him. I really catch it when I don’t show up.
It is nothing formal just some burgers and hotdogs, soda and salads, but the people make the difference. It is a time to catch up on each other’s lives. It is a time to show them you care for them and will be there if needed. It is a time to connect with the past and remember where you come from.
I wonder if we have forgotten some of the truly blessed times we can have just sitting down and sharing a meal together. Thanksgiving is one of those times, don’t let the world take it away form you.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that meeting together and encouraging each other is valuable and necessary.
Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The day is approaching when we will no longer be on this earth. We will look back on our lives and wonder what we missed. There are things in life that are important and should not be overlooked; spending time with each other is one of those things.
You won’t find many thinking they should have spent more time at the track or in the garage working on the car. Many will look back and see the opportunities missed. The time wasted on things.
I encourage you not to be caught up in the trap of thinking of ourselves as more important that others. We will soon look back alone and wonder where everyone went. God created us to live together. Our lives are not complete without others to compliment us. The team concept comes out of the family unit that God put in place. We need each other.
If we bypass these opportunities to gather together, we will soon find ourselves alone and without hope. That is not the way to live a full and blessed life. If you haven’t yet; stop and make it a priority to get together with Family, Friends and Food. Leave your watch at home, relax and enjoy. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
I followed my own advice this past weekend, I spent time with friends, my family and I ate a lot of food! I even managed to get a little racing in too. The traditional Thanksgiving feast is not one of my favorite meals, but I did my best to eat as much as I could while leaving room for some apple pie. I hope you did the same.
After consuming large amounts of food I figured I was ready to head to Wall for some racing action. I was joined on the trip by Howie Hodge. We headed down early Saturday morning and arrived in time for the driver’s meeting. Howie went off to shoot some pictures, which can be seen in Area Auto Racing News and at The Chrome Horn. I went off to visit and find some food.
A surprise visitor to the event was Southern Modified driver, Burt Meyers. Burt took to the track quickly and posted the fastest time in qualifying. I talked with him after his qualifying run and he was excited about what the race had in store. The primary focus at the time was making sure they had enough propane to run their heaters and keep the trailer warm. This was definitely a little colder than they were used to. Burt didn’t fare as well in the race and had a DNF. He lamented about the style of driving exhibited during the race.
Looking at the numbers both the open modified and Wall type modified both had more cars on the sideline than crossed the finish line you have to wonder the same thing. The hard luck award went out to Reggie Reggiero; who redrew the pole, got loose on the initial start and was collected up as the pack raced by. He didn’t even make the first turn.
Before the racing action started the Blewett Family was presented with a billboard commemorating the retirement of the #76 from competition at Wall. A picture of the famed #76 with the words “Forever in our hearts, thanks for the memories.” John Sr. addressed the crowd and thanked them for their thoughts and prayers throughout this trying time and for the support they showed for him and the family. It was a touching goodbye to Wall’s Grand Champion John Blewett III.
As I stated earlier I did sample some of the local fare. Our Local Chaplain, Bob Menschner, knew where the good stuff was and showed up with two bowls of Turkey soup for Dan and I that warmed us through and through. Thanks Bob. Just an additional note of thanks to all the drivers and teams at Wall Stadium, they continue to lead the local tracks in support of Racing with Jesus Ministries. During the year they donated over $1,000.00 through Bob. I also noticed that every car in the pits had a RWJM sticker on it, even the golf carts! Bob, thank you for all your hard work and support this season, we are truly blessed to have you there at Wall.
Well next up is Orlando and the PRI show. I will be joined by my wife, Lynda, as we travel to sunny Florida to take in what has become the premier racing industry show in the nation. We are looking forward to a little time away together. See you there or maybe at a year-end banquet or two. Have a great week.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
November 30
RICHARD & DIANE MOORE- The parents of Scarborough, ME semi-retired BNS driver Kelly and Grand parents of Silver Crown driver Ryan have their anniversary.
December 1
KEN & TIFFANY BARRY- The Manager of SPAFCO Chassis and wife share their 6th anniversary.
December 4
CHRIS & LISA ERM- This New Jersey NASCAR Mod Series officiating couple; he in the tech. area and she is the WMT Chief Scorer, have their 7th aniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 29
KEN WOOLEY, JR.- Howell, NJ Modified driver.
CRIS EASH- Pennsy based WoO driver.
JIM VOGT- Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver.
RICK MARTIN- Westport, MA ProStock driver.
BOBBY DILLNER- TV SpeedChannel Racing Reporter from Long Island and Mason-Dixon Meltdown Promoter.
CAROLYN BROWN- Wife of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car owner/driver Bobby.
MATTHEW HIRSCHMAN- The driver son of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Tony and wife Brenda and 2007 Norht-South Shootout Champion.
November 30
DAVE DION- Milton, VT driver of the Berlin City Dealerships/ Continental Paving NASCAR BNS Ford and RWJM Board Member.
DORIS BERGHMAN- Rehobath, MA wife of the legendary Bugs Stevens and mom of po-stock driver Dave Berghman.
DON TOAL- Rochester, NY fan.
December 1
BENTLEY WARREN- Kennebunkport, ME SuperModified/ Silver Crown great.
RUSS WOOD- NH based ISMA SuperModified driver.
MARCO GRECO- Sao Paulo, Brazil IRL driver.
DAVE SALZARULO- CT based ProStock/Mod driver.
HARRY WYANT- Brookfield, CT Waterford Speedbowl championship Modified team owner.
ARMADEE NADEAU- Dana/Perfect Circle Executive and CTS Team Manager.
KRISTIN ELLIOTT- A daughter of Uncasville, CT fan Jerry and wife Jusinta is 17.
December 2
RUSS FRANTZ- PA asphalt Modified driver.
FRANK BETTENCOURT- MA based Mini Modified driver.
ANDREW BELMONT- Son of New Egypt Promoter Andy and wife Jennifer is 14.
December 3
BOBBY ALLISON- Hueytown,AL former Winston Cup great.
WALKER EVANS- Riverside, CA CTS Team owner, retired driver.
KEITH KRODEL- This long-time friend of Rev. Pat and former Jan Leaty NASCAR WMT crewman now lives in Pensacola, FL.
December 4
RAUL BOESEL- Curtiba, Brazil born, Key Biscayne, FL IRL driver.
JOE SUKUP- Retired Midget team owner from Shodack Landing, NY
AGNES KICHURY- Mother-In-Law of Mod tour photographer Michael Pares.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM